adjectiveEtymology: Middle English, from Late Latin impersonalis, from Latin in- + Late Latin personalis personalDate: 15th century1.a. denoting the verbal action of an unspecified agent and hence used with no expressed subject (as methinks) or with a merely formal subject (as rained in it rained)
b.of a pronounindefinite2.a. having no personal reference or connection <

impersonal criticism

>b. not engaging the human personality or emotions <

the machine as compared with the hand tool is an impersonal agency — John Dewey

>c. not existing as a person ; not having human qualities or characteristics
• impersonalitynoun
• impersonallyadverb

impersonal — (adj.) mid 15c., a grammatical term, from L.L. impersonalis, from assimilated form of in not, opposite of (see IN (Cf. in ) (1)) + personalis personal (see PERSONAL (Cf. personal)). Sense of not connected with any person is from 1620s; that of… … Etymology dictionary

impersonal — ► ADJECTIVE 1) not influenced by or involving personal feelings. 2) featureless and anonymous. 3) not existing as a person. 4) Grammar (of a verb) used only with a formal subject (in English usually it) and expressing an action not attributable… … English terms dictionary